Fantasy Football Injury Reports For Week 5 (Friday Updates): Cooper Kupp, Jonathan Taylor, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tee Higgins, more

Four weeks of NFL football are in the books, meaning a few key fantasy studs are eligible to return from Injured Reserve and the PUP list.  Our injury updates and reports for Week 5 as of Friday, October 6, 2023, will give you the latest updates on key guys around the league.

As always, some players have more "real" risk of missing Week 5 than others, but things change quickly, so it's important to stay up to date. Cooper Kupp, Jonathan Taylor, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tee Higgins, and more are in danger of missing Week 5. Fantasy managers should be ready to pivot should things go south.

To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NFL, make sure to favorite or bookmark the fantasy football player news page, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news. Let's look at the updates for some top fantasy assets at all positions and see whether they may play in Week 5.

• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
• Running back fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end fantasy football rankings
• Kicker fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Superflex fantasy football rankings
• IDP fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Cooper Kupp Injury Update

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said that wide receiver Cooper Kupp (hamstring) will make his season debut this Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5. Kupp returned to full practices this week after missing the first four games while being on Injured Reserve. The Rams will likely officially activate him from IR on Saturday. In Kupp's absence, rookie sensation Puka Nacua stepped in as a target hog for fantasy managers in the first four games.

While Nacua could still be relevant in fantasy lineups, his ceiling is going to take a hit with Kupp returning. Kupp, normally a no-brainer must-start WR1, will be much more volatile in his first game back this weekend and could be on a snap count as the Rams look to ease him back into the fold.

Jonathan Taylor Injury Update

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) was a full participant in practice this week but is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Titans. Taylor is still on the PUP list, but if he's activated, that will be a very strong indication that the team expects him to play.

Tennessee has a solid run defense and Taylor might need a week or two before he's back to full game speed, but the 24-year-old should still be started in most fantasy leagues. He's a fantasy RB2 with immediate RB1 upside

Amon-Ra St. Brown Injury Update

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (abdomen) is officially listed as doubtful for the team's Week 5 contest against the Carolina Panthers. The star wideout wasn't able to practice in any capacity this week and now seems as though he'll have to miss at least one game.

With Josh Reynolds (groin) and Jameson Williams marked as questionable, this could mean that Sam LaPorta, Marvin Jones Jr., and Kalif Raymond could be in for some more action. Fantasy managers will want to stay tuned for more updates on the Lions' receiving corps before deciding to play any of them.

Saquon Barkley Injury Update

The New York Giants have listed running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) as questionable for their Week 5 contest this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.

Barkley was limited in practices this week and appears to be making progress from the high-ankle sprain he suffered in Week 2, but there's still a decent chance he misses his third straight game this weekend, especially with the Giants also ruling out three offensive linemen -- guard Shane Lemieux (groin), center John Michael Schmitz (shoulder) and left tackle Andrew Thomas (hamstring).

Barkley is typically a must-start in fantasy lineups if he's active, but a case could be made to hold him out this Sunday if he's active and on a pitch count. If he misses a third straight game, Matt Breida is expected to continue leading the backfield in touches.

Rhamondre Stevenson Injury Update

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (thigh) is officially questionable for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints. He was limited in practice all week long. The fact that Stevenson was able to practice in some capacity is great news, though we might not get official clarification on his status until Sunday morning.

Given that the Saints have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to running backs, Stevenson would rank as a mid-range RB2 if active. (Patriots.com)

Tee Higgins Injury Update

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (ribs) received a questionable designation heading into Week 5 after registering a limited practice on Friday. A lot of the initial reports talked about Higgins missing multiple weeks, but it seems like his recovery is going faster than expected so far. Managers should have a plan in place to play someone else over Higgins right now because he was only able to practice once this week.

If he does end up playing, the matchup isn't very beneficial. The Cardinals are in the middle of the pack against opposing receivers and give up almost three fewer fantasy points than the league average. That would leave Higgins as a lower-level WR3 or even WR4 if he tries to play through his rib injury.

Kenny Pickett Injury Update

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (knee) was removed from the Week 5 injury report on Friday and is good to go for Sunday's divisional clash versus the Baltimore Ravens. The writing was on the wall for Pickett to suit up this weekend when he returned to a full practice on Thursday. The 25-year-old suffered a bone bruise in his left knee late in the Week 4 loss to the Houston Texans, but it's obviously not a serious injury.

Through the first four weeks of the 2023 season, Pickett has left a lot to be desired in a Pittsburgh offense that has really only had one good game to this point. He ranks as the QB26 in overall fantasy points and has a tough matchup on his hands in Baltimore's defense this week. Pickett should be avoided as a starting signal-caller in single-QB leagues in Week 5.

Odell Beckham Jr., Rashod Bateman Injury Update

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (ankle) said he expects to play in Week 5 on Sunday against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Beckham has missed the last two games due to an ankle injury he suffered in Week 2, but he returned to limited practice sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, paving the way for a potential return to action on Sunday. He is listed as questionable for Sunday.

Rashod Bateman (hamstring) also looks set to play in Week 5 after missing the Week 4 win over the Cleveland Browns, so OBJ will have plenty of competition for targets in Baltimore's passing attack if he's active this weekend. The 30-year-old veteran only has five receptions for 66 yards and no touchdowns through two games so far, so he's a low-upside flex play if he suits up.

Miles Sanders Injury Update

Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (groin) put in a full practice on Friday and was removed from the final Week 5 injury report. Sanders won't have an injury designation heading into Sunday's game versus the Detroit Lions after being limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. The former Philadelphia Eagles RB has dealt with a groin issue since training camp, but it hasn't caused him to miss any games in 2023.

Outside of two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving), the 26-year-old has done very little through the first four weeks of his first season in Chicago. Backfield mate Chuba Hubbard could start seeing more work if Sanders doesn't improve his efficiency. In a tough matchup against Detroit this Sunday, Sanders profiles as more of an RB3/flex for fantasy managers. (Panthers.com)

Pat Freiermuth Injury Update

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (hamstring) was unable to practice all week and has officially been ruled out for the Week 5 contest versus the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. Freiermuth was doubtful to play this week after injuring his hamstring in the Week 4 loss to the Houston Texans.

The good news for the 24-year-old is that with the team's bye coming in Week 6, he'll have a good chance to make his return in Week 7 on Oct. 22 against the Los Angeles Rams. With Freiermuth sitting out this weekend, rookie Darnell Washington will have an opportunity for a bigger role in the passing attack alongside Connor Heyward. Neither tight end is worth streaming consideration in Week 5.

Zay Jones Injury Update

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receivers Zay Jones (knee) and Jamal Agnew (quadriceps) are both listed as questionable for Sunday's game in London against the Buffalo Bills. Jones and Agnew were both limited in practices this week, so they both have a shot at returning in a very tough matchup. Jones has missed the last two weeks, while Agnew sat out last week's win over the Atlanta Falcons in London.

The 28-year-old Jones found the end zone in the season opener but then failed to catch any of his six targets in Week 2 before injuring his knee. Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk remain Jacksonville's top two targets, so if Jones returns in London, he'll be nothing more than a shaky WR4/flex play in a daunting matchup.

Treylon Burks Injury Update

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel said that wide receiver Treylon Burks (knee) will not play in Week 5 against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Burks missed practice all week and will now sit out his second straight game with a knee injury. With the team's bye coming in Week 7, there's a chance that Burks could miss a third straight game next week against the Baltimore Ravens.

Coupled with poor production in the first three weeks of the season and now his injury, Burks has been dropped in most 12-team fantasy leagues at this point.

DeAndre Hopkins, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Chris Moore should operate in three-wide sets yet again this weekend with Burks sidelined. Westbrook-Ikhine had five catches for 51 yards and his second TD of the year in the Week 4 win over the Cincinnati Bengals with Burks out.

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